2.1. Understanding Morphology in Disaster Context

There is also a sustainable livelihoods framework which talks about the asset framework where it is a different model in 1997, which they have developed how the individuals or groups access the resources which are basically assets to organize their livelihoods and how the capacities make them able to act engage and change the world.

This framework emphasizes how individuals and groups access and utilize resources, known as assets, to improve their livelihoods. It suggests that it's not only about financial capital but also about using various types of resources effectively. The model developed in 1997 highlights that people's abilities, or capacities, are crucial for engaging with these resources to foster change and resilience in their lives, especially in disaster contexts.

Imagine a community affected by a flood. They have access to not just money but also skills, social networks, and land. The sustainable livelihoods framework would help them understand how to utilize these diverse assets, like organizing community efforts to rebuild homes, planting crops suitable for the new conditions, and leveraging local knowledge for better recovery.

But here, the thing is it is not just for economic necessity where households or groups act upon. But it is with the cultural factors which people manage the results and make their livelihood choices to act upon.

This section stresses that while economic resources are vital, cultural factors also play a significant role in how households make decisions regarding their livelihoods. People do not act solely out of economic necessity; their cultural beliefs, values, and social norms significantly influence their choices and behaviors.

Think about a fishing community that traditionally follows certain fishing methods based on their cultural heritage. Even if modern methods promise higher yields, this community might prefer to continue their traditional practices because they value their cultural identity and community bonds over mere economic gain.

(Refer Slide Time: 15:44) There is also work, literature from Frederick Cuny onwards like you consider disasters and the development but I try to look all these components that relation with culture vulnerability and development.

This part refers to the extensive body of literature exploring the intersection of disasters, development, and cultural vulnerability. It emphasizes the importance of understanding how cultural aspects can influence and shape responses to disasters and development efforts. The mention of Frederick Cuny highlights the historical context of this research area, suggesting that it has evolved significantly over time.

Consider the aftermath of a natural disaster. Different communities may respond differently based on their cultural narratives and past experiences. An analysis of past literature shows researchers how certain cultural groups have succeeded or struggled in recovery efforts compared to others, informing future approaches to disaster management.

So, this is where I started reviewing a variety of literature starting from Bourdieu’s cultural capital. Kim Dovey’s work on framing places, Neil Leach work, and Regina Lim’s work.

In this chunk, the focus is on utilizing various theoretical frameworks to understand culture and its implications in disaster contexts. Bourdieu's concept of cultural capital is particularly relevant as it explains how individuals' social and cultural resources impact their ability to navigate and recover from disasters. The mention of other scholars' works emphasizes a multifaceted approach to analyzing community responses.

Imagine a family that has access to cultural capital in the form of educational resources, social networks, and inherited skills. In the wake of a disaster, this family may have a better chance at recovery, as their social connections can provide support and new opportunities. Thus, cultural capital is not just about wealth; it's about how these diverse resources equip families to cope with challenges.

Here, the culture is defined as the sum of total human experiences and accumulated indigenous knowledge within the space because, I am looking from the built environment perspective that communities rely on giving meanings to their lives and places delivered through which people habitually develop an approach to survive their everyday life, whether it is in a pre-disaster situation or a post-disaster situation.

This part provides a definition of culture in the context of disaster recovery, suggesting that culture encompasses collective human experiences and indigenous knowledge within specific spaces. From a built environment perspective, culture influences how communities understand and interpret their surroundings, which plays a vital role in their everyday survival strategies, whether before or after a disaster.

Think of a community that survives in a flood-prone area. Their historical experiences shape how they build their homes, how they respond to early warning signs, and how they support one another after a flood. This cultural understanding of their environment allows them to adapt and recover despite repeated challenges.

So, my research question talks about how to understand the role of culture in the post disaster recovery process and its relation to the vulnerability, especially, in particular to the built environment of affected traditional settlements.

This section outlines the main research question aimed at uncovering the role of culture in recovery after disasters. It emphasizes the relationship between cultural understanding and the vulnerability of traditional settlements, essentially advocating for a more culturally-informed approach to post-disaster recovery strategies.

Consider a village that has historically used sustainable practices to build homes that withstand floods. If recovery efforts ignore their cultural practices and simply impose new designs, the community may struggle to adapt and ultimately find themselves more vulnerable to future disasters. The research aims to highlight the importance of integrating cultural insights into recovery efforts.

So, what I did was I travelled around Tamilnadu, I have taken a lot of statistical information of the damage statistics what districts have been affected, what are the villages, what are the NGOs working on, what approaches they are doing whether they are doing Institute or a relocation and accordingly have visited about 17 villages along the stretch of Tamilnadu coast.

This section describes the research methodology involving field studies in Tamil Nadu. The author collected statistical data on damage from disasters and engaged with various villages to understand the different responses and recovery strategies implemented by local NGOs and communities. This approach provides a comprehensive view of the diverse impacts and recovery processes across different areas.

Imagine if a researcher traveled to multiple towns affected by the same hurricane, documenting how each community responded. Some towns might rely on local volunteer groups, while others might receive national aid. By studying these varying approaches, the researcher can identify best practices for future disaster responses.

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